Tennessee City Reports Strong Declines in False Alarms Thanks to Fine-Based Ordinance

Aug. 10, 2005
Police report 30 percent decrease in false alarms; chief credits user education

Johnson City, Tenn., is seeing results with its alarm ordinance. According to the Tri-Cities News Source newspaper, the police department from Johnson City has reported a 30 percent decrease in false alarms in 2005 now that the city has publicized its alarm ordinance.

The ordinance begins fines for burglar alarm owners who have three or more false alarms per year. Other nearby cities are reportedly interested in stronger enforcement of their own alarm ordinances following the report from the Johnson City P.D.

Johnson City's Chief of Police John Lowry told the Tri-Cities News Source that he believes the fines associated with the ordinance have inspired alarm owners to learn correct operation of their burglar alarm systems.